Lowering Utility Bills

Written by Lee Wyatt (last updated August 23, 2013)

Does anyone really like to open their monthly utility bill and see just how high it can really be? Lowering utility bills is about as high up on the wish list of every adult as it can possibly get. While it is entirely possible to lower your utility bills, but nothing can ever really be done without a cost of some sort. In order to get your utility bills as low as possible, you will need to make a few sacrifices.

  • Dimmer switches can help. Instead of living with either complete dark, or total light, why not use only as much light as you really need. A dimmer switch can allow you to do this. With a dimmer switch installed you will be able to set the light in your rooms to only what you may need.
  • Keep the fridge full. Surprisingly a full fridge will use less energy than an empty or half full fridge. Keep your fridge as full as you possibly can, and you will be amazed at how much it will lower your electricity bill.
  • Air dry your laundry. Dryers use an awful lot of energy, and one way that you can help lower your utility bill is to allow your clothes to air dry. Generally speaking you really only want to use this method to dry your clothes when it is warm outside so that the clothes will dry as quickly as possible.
  • Check for heat loss. There are infrared cameras that you can use to help you determine what, if any, type of heat loss you may be experiencing in your home. With the pictures from this camera in hand, you can easily identify any potential problems and get them addressed and repaired as quickly as possible.
  • Insulate your outlets and switches. You can lose a surprising amount of heat and energy by not having your outlets and light switches properly insulated, particularly if the outlet or switch is located alongside an exterior wall. Often all you will need to do to fix this problem is to simply purchase some specialized outlet and switch plate seals from your local home improvement store.
  • Use a programmable thermostat. It is estimated that you can save up to 10% on your utility bill by simply installing a programmable thermostat if you don't already have one. These thermostats will allow you to set your desired temperature without the dramatic fluctuations in temperature that you can often see in homes without these types of thermostats.
  • Low-flow is the way to go. Replace existing showerheads, faucets, toilets, and water using appliances with the low-flow options. Oftentimes you can get just as good results with the low-flow options and use a lot less water in the process. The less water you use, then the lower your water bill will be.
  • Use cold water when possible. Whenever possible use cold water instead of hot water. For example, when washing your clothes utilize cold water instead of the more energy intensive hot water. It has been estimated that about 90% of the energy used to wash clothes is used to only heat your water.

Author Bio

Lee Wyatt

Contributor of numerous Tips.Net articles, Lee Wyatt is quickly becoming a regular "Jack of all trades." He is currently an independent contractor specializing in writing and editing. Contact him today for all of your writing and editing needs! Click here to contact. ...

MORE FROM LEE

Improving Home Air Quality

Whether it is during the height of allergy season or in the dead of winter, the air quality in your home is important. ...

Discover More

Installing Wide-Plank Flooring

If you are interested in having a "country" feel to your home, then you may want to consider wide-plank flooring. ...

Discover More

Stain Removal Techniques

Part of learning how to remove stains the correct way is to also learn about the different stain removal techniques. Here ...

Discover More
More Money Tips

Reducing Your Water Bill

You will always have to pay for water and you can't necessarily control what they charge for water. You can however take ...

Discover More

Living Debt Free

Living debt free is a most worthy goal and one that takes planning and discipline. If you can wisely manage your money, ...

Discover More

Reducing Your Utility Bill

Your utility bill is one of those bills that you will always have and always have to pay; you can't go without ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 6 - 0?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)